Clenching her bag tightly beside her, Elysia continued to make her way further, looking over her shoulder as she could see other people moving around her, but none of them were the young man who had stopped her.
Even though, the man appeared nice and polite to her there was something unsettling about the man. Elysia had to change her mind about the inn she had planned to stay in and go a bit further because of that man.
After walking through two alleys, Elysia's found herself on a less busier street. There were a few houses there with light touches lit at the front of each house. One of the buildings caught her eyes as it was an inn, the two story building covered in brown paint.
She walked up to the building and pushed the door open, the warmth of the parlor engulfed her. Elysia made her way to an elderly man who seemed like a worker as he was wiping the window with a cloth.
"Excuse me sir, I am looking for the innkeeper?" Elysia asked, watching the man turn towards her.
"Ah, good evening miss. The innkeeper just stepped out a few minutes ago. Is there something I can help you with?" The man asked with a smile.
"Very well, I need a place to stay for the night if there is one available." Elysia explained.
"Ah, you are quite in luck my dear, we have just one room left. This time of the year is quite a busy one in Graymoore, there is a yearly festival approaching and everyone is excited." The man explained, as he walked towards a counter,leaping.
"That is wonderful." She replied casually, not really in the mood for a conversation. All she wanted to do was to go to the room and rest, it had been a long day.
"Yes, it surely is. I myself, am deeply looking forward to the festival. Are you from this town my dear? I have not seen you around." The elderly man asked, watching Elysia.
"I am not, I am only here to see a relative." Elysia explained, deeply confused how everyone in this town figured out she was not from here.
"Oh, that is lovely. I am glad that you are here though, you will have a chance to experience the annual festival." The man added.
"I sure will, may I have the key to the room? I am deeply tired and wish to rest my head." Elysia said, moving her weight from one leg to another.
The man chuckled lightly, "Forgive me dear, I do like to talk too much sometimes." He bent over the table before pulling out a drawer and bringing out a key. "The room is one the first floor, the second room to your right." The man placed the key on the table.
"Thank you very much sir." Elysia picked up the key and offered a grateful smile to the man.
"You are welcome." The man replied. Elysia was grateful the man did not try to engage in further conversation with her.
Elysia made her way up the stairs and down the hallway to the room she was directed to. Elysia made sure to look sideways making sure no one saw her enter the room, she then placed the key in the key hole and twisted it making a small sound.
Elysia opened the door and walked into before shutting the door behind her and locking it. Her eyes scanned the room, it was a modest one with a wooden bed, a chair, dresser and a bathroom. The deep blue curtains covered the big glass windows.
It took a few minutes for Elysia to settle down, she had taken a cold shower and returned into the stolen dress. She rebraided her hair and pulled the cloak over her body and head. Her stomach had began to churn from lack of food, she had not eaten anything since morning.
Elysia checked her reflection in the mirror to see if everything was good with her appearance. After letting out a deep breath, she stepped out the room and made way to the parlor.
"Do you need some my dear?" The elderly man she had seen earlier said as he noticed her.
"Yes, I am deeply famished. I have not had anything to eat since morning." Elysia admitted to the man, her eyes moved to a mid aged man who made his way towards them.
"Please, sit down." The man pointed to the chair beside him. Elysia did as she told, she adjusted her hood to cover her hair properly.
"Have you attended to that annoying woman Theodore?" The mid aged man asked the older man. His eyes shifted from the man to Elysia who had her eyes fixed on the table.
"Yes I have, brother, this is our newest customer. She is the one occupying Lily's room." The man turned to Elysia. "I am Theodus and this is my younger brother, Theodore." He called out to Elysia.
"It is nice meeting you Mr Theodus and Theodore." Elysia greeted politely.
"Pleasure is mine." Both replied, "We do not know your name miss? Would you like to tell us?" Theodus asked.
Elysia hesitated for a few seconds before speaking. "My name is Marion." She replied, feeling a bit sad that she had just lied.
"What a beautiful name dear. What would you like to eat Marion dear?" Theodus asked, moving closer to his brother.
"Anything good that you have sir." Elysia replied, making the men chuckle.
"Very well then, I will leave you to your thoughts while I see to your meal." Theodus said, before walking away from Elysia.
Elysia was grateful that the other brother gave her a slight nod before walking away into another direction, she could guess he was not much of a talker like his elder brother.
Theodus came back with a tray of delicious looking food and placed it on the table in front of Elysia. "Enjoy your meal Miss Marion." The man said before walking away.
Elysia thanked the man and began to dig into her food, with every taste better than the last. She could not tell if the food was genuinely that good or it was because she was serious hungry. She continued to enjoy her food oblivious of the man who sat at the rate end of the parlor watching her.